Mermaid in Manhattan is an unexpectedly warm, shimmering blend of fantasy, friendship, and modern romance that feels like slipping into a cozy sweater—if that sweater also occasionally crackled with magic and emotional angst. It delivers a contemporary fairy tale without the weight of high fantasy, instead offering soft world-building, approachable magic, and dialogue that sparkles on nearly every page.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its characters and their connections. The protagonist is surrounded by friendships that feel lived-in and essential; they’re not just set dressing, but beating hearts that carry the emotional core of the story. Whether it’s heartfelt comfort or laugh-out-loud banter, the relationships make Manhattan feel both enchanted and deeply human.

The author has an undeniable talent for banter—quick, clever, and often laugh-inducing. Every interaction feels intentional and character-driven, from comedic exchanges to vulnerable confessions. The tone balances lighthearted charm with moments of genuine angst, giving the story emotional depth without dragging it into melodrama.

Romance readers will appreciate the spice level: a solid 4/5. The scenes are explicit enough to satisfy while still maintaining a tasteful, fade-around-the-edges style. It’s sensual but not graphic, matching the book’s overall cozy fantasy vibe.

With its blend of urban whimsy, heartfelt friendships, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after, Mermaid in Manhattan reads like a warm tide washing over you—comforting, sparkly, and just angsty enough to matter. A delightful escape for anyone who wants a touch of magic without venturing into full high-fantasy territory.

I absolutely adored Jessica Gadziala's My Big Fat Vampire Wedding recently, so I jumped at the chance to read the ARC of Mermaid in Manhattan! Not only does it have arranged marriage which one of my top tier tropes, it's an arranged marriage between a mermaid princess and a human politician. It sounds like a funny match but it really drives the plot and the character development. The FMC, Iris, is quite hot and cold with Finn, but it wasn't annoying like it can be sometimes in books, as it did make sense for her. As the story progresses, they get better at talking things through.

Monty the talking pelican is very funny, I think it must be the law that a mermaid princess has a hilarious talking sidekick. The other side characters were amusing as well, which got me really invested.

I devoured this in one go, and really enjoyed it! There's something about the author's writing that I just find so easy and fun to read.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

Mermaid in Manhattan surprised me in the best way mostly because I saw so much of myself in Iris. Her mix of softness and stubbornness, that feeling of wanting to choose your own life while everyone else seems to have an opinion about who you should be… it hit home. Iris trying to navigate a world that wasn’t built for her, literally and emotionally, felt oddly relatable.

Watching her clash with Finn was hilarious, but it was also touching because she never let go of who she was, even when it would’ve been easier to just go along with things. I loved that about her. Her defiance, her awkwardness, her heart all of it felt so human even though she’s a mermaid.

The story itself is fun, chaotic, and totally over-the-top at times, but beneath the humour and magic, Iris’s struggle to find a place where she truly belongs resonated with me. Her growth felt like watching a friend finally trust herself. And seeing Finn slowly understand and appreciate her made the romance feel earned and genuinely sweet.

Overall, it’s a light, escapist read with a heroine I could genuinely identify with someone a little unsure, a little rebellious, a little overwhelmed, but ultimately stronger than she realizes. It made the whole book feel personal in a way I didn’t expect.

Mermaid in Manhattan is a funny, sweet, spicy romantasy about the merging of two worlds the human and the mer world. Finn's campaign manager wants Finn to have a mermaid wife to solidify that base. Iris's mother Tatiana the Queen of the Ocean sees the benefit the union will have for those in the ocean. Not wanting to leave her home but understanding her duty Iris enters the human world with her emotional support pelican Monty. Iris plan is to make Finn call off the engagement using the funniest weapons possible including a teeth and bug collection. Finn has been working towards his political goals so long he's forgotten how to speak in anything but talking points. Still Iris makes him want to try. This book is unexpected in the best way and pure joy. Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for an advanced copy. This is my honest review.

Cozy, spicy, fun and flirty - a very fun romp with a sheltered mermaid and amsupe4 focused mayoral candidate - confounded with a starstruck talking pelican, an obsessed campaign manager, a love adverse witch, and one very romantic demon. Snarky and often laugh out loud funny while also romantic and a bit steamy, a bit of everything all woven together and it totally works!

Imagine you’re living your best shimmering under the sea life, hair flowing like kelp in a Beyonce wind machine, and suddenly your mom - who also happens to be THE QUEEN OF THE WHOLE OCEAN - says “surprise sweetie! You’re marrying a human”

A HUMAN. With legs. The disrespect🤣

This book has every deliciously unhinged mermaid obsessed inner child hoards like treasure.

✅ Arranged marriage? Yep.
✅ Only one bed? You bet your sweet fin!
✅ Romantasy shenanigans? Serves it fresh.
✅ Spice? Ma’am, there were moments my Kindle needed a cold compress 🥵

The chaotic joy of watching Iris aggressively try to hate her way out of the relationship, while Finn simply refuses to be anything but a patient cinnamon roll is chef’s kiss perfect. The man’s basically running for mayor while simultaneously falling helplessly in love with a mermaid who keeps threatening to return to the ocean forever. Iconic behaviour from both parties.

And as a lifelong mermaid enthusiast (Splash hive rise!) this book felt like someone bottled every childhood wish about abandoning land life and returning to the waves, then added: “what if we threw in a hot political himbo with a heart of gold?”

I inhaled it in one sitting like a siren who forgot how to pace herself.

If your heart beats faster at the smell of sea salt, chaotic banter, and a man who will absolutely still love you after you splash him like an angry dolphin, this book is your next hyperfixation ♥️

Thank you to the publishers for the ARC. I am obsessulated ♥️🌊

4.5 🌟

Iris is ordered to marry Finn, the human mayor of New York even though she's a mermaid. Finn wants the romance to be more than a business and tries his best to convince her....

Love this arranged marriage story. Finn is great... Love the spice in it too. A fun romantasy

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book reminded me a bit of a vertical movie you get on YouTube and The Little Mermaid. 😆 It was a fun to read book,plenty of will they, won't they. A pelican with big ambitions, a witch who secretly loves love. I mean, it was great, I love a bit of cheese in my life, and this was it. I'm actually looking forward to the next book in the series. 🤭

This was just a perfect book to get me out of a reading slump if you live mermaids and a fairytale this book is perfect for you

Believe it or not, I was actively searching for a mermaid romance novel a while back. Unsurprisingly, it does not seem to be a very sought after sub-genre, so I didn't have much luck. But you can imagine my shock when I saw THIS was available to request.
I even ended my ARC break for this specifically.

This is sort of like a grown-up reimagining of "The Little Mermaid", but with an arranged marriage trope.
I am never hugely excited by the prospect of arranged marriages in books, because it's just not my thing in general. But, I do think it was done decently here and I was able to enjoy it.
It helped a lot that Finn was so kind and gentle with Iris, and his efforts to make her feel more comfortable being outside of her usual environment were heartwarming.

I can't truly complain about this, because I knew about it before going into the book. But there is somewhat of a political plot going on, which is something that just isn't for me.
It really isn't "bad", it just tends to be somewhat that looses my attention rather quickly.
However, paranormal politics... that I do find a bit more intriguing, so I wasn't totally bored.

One thing I really loved about this was the array of creatures in it.
Diversity...but make it paranormal. Mermaids, witches, vampires, dryads, fae, and so on.
This alone was such an exciting element for me, and I'm so glad it was there.

I don't feel like there is anything "bad" about it.
I'll say that I think there was a lot of potential for a more unique plot though. Given that there are few books on the market with mermaid love interests, I just really think there was a ton of room to do new stuff and get super creative with world-building, customs, personality... everything really.
In the end it just came out a little bit basic. Not bad, but normal. The addition of more unique mermaid-specific elements would have been great.

I believe this author has written other paranormal romances in the past, which I would actually like to check out.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and author Jessica Gadziala, for providing me with the eARC of "Mermaid in Manhattan", in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: April 23, 2026
Reviewed on Goodreads: December 05, 2025

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were well written and very relatable and I enjoyed reading their story. The plot was paced well and kept my attention throughout the book. I would definitely recommend to others!

This is a fun filled magical romance.

I generally love the trope of arranged marriage and this didn’t disappoint. It hit even better because there’s an opposites attract theme given our characters are different species!

Great fun, whimsical and romantic.

This is the first novel I’ve read by Jessica Gadziala and it was a delightful splash of charm, wit, and unexpected giggles—equal parts cozy romance and seaside mischief. I devoured it and left no crumbs.

Monty is the MVP of animal characters this year—utterly ridiculous and absolutely lovable; he had me laughing out loud more than once. Iris and Finn are pure slow-burn gold: awkward, adorable, and deliciously unsure of what to do with their feelings, which made every small step toward intimacy feel earned and sweet.

Iris brings out the best in Finn, gently coaxing him into being more himself, while learning to breathe, be patient, and stop leaping to conclusions. Their miscommunications are messy in the most satisfying rom-com way, and every stumble nudges them closer to a genuinely happy ending.

This book balances heart and humor perfectly—romantic tension, political awkwardness, and a mermaid-princess-meets-human-politician premise that somehow works beautifully. The world is playful, the stakes are warm, and the emotional payoff is very rewarding.

If you want a feel-good read with quirky characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and a swoony, unconventional romance, this one’s a splash hit. Dive in and enjoy the ride—Monty alone is worth it.

More mermaid books needed pls

Things I liked: the variety of different supernatural species was great, the modern setting where it’s totally normal to bump into a Minotaur on the subway, and FMCs supporting cast of friends. I liked Iris as a FMC; soft but resilient where needed.

Things I disliked: Henry. He was just a terrible person, and I’m a bit disappointed that he didn’t have any sort of comeuppance. Finn is a bit of a wet blanket at times, and their relationship is a bit meh occasionally as a result. And I wish we’d found out more about the world and all the species co-existing within it.

This was a cute read, funny in the right places (love a fish pun), and just a nice little palette cleanser if you’ve read something heavy.

This is a solid 3.5 for me - I’m rating it 4 because while I don’t think it’s there, a 3 feels overly harsh.

Thank you to Net gallery and Avon books uk, I was looking for some more supernatural romances and I found one.

I enjoyed the plot, it was a comfortable read one with the arranged marriage and forced proximity troupe. The plot was entertaining and predictable, if you’re looking for a read that is a mixture of sweet and spicy and amusing then this one is for you.

There is a side character called Monty and I found him quite entertaining in the beginning, he’s Iris best friend 🫶

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Another fantastic book from Jessica.

I loved the entire plot of this story. We got to meet some interesting characters, that each brought something different to the book.

Monty is possibly my favourite animal character out of every book I’ve read this year. Had me in absolute stitches!

Iris and Finn were so cute. You could sense their interactions with one another slowly becoming more intimate, and the pure frustration of not knowing what to do with their feelings was a big part of the story.

Iris really let Finn be more himself when she was around. She also had to learn to be patient and not jump to conclusions so fast.

Quite a bit of miscommunication but all led to a HEA.

If you want to find out how a mermaid princess and a human politician can make a relationship work, then definitely read this book.

4⭐️
A fun and fresh fantasy romcom.

This felt unique! The book has major “How to lose a guy in 10 days” vibes, a talking pelican sidekick, and a lot of forced proximity.

However, while the story was fun and did what it promised, there were a bit too many tropes and extremely unbelievable scenarios shoved together.

Tropes: arranged marriage, forced proximity, mermaid x human, urban fantasy

Loved this! The relationship between the mmc and fmc was great especially considering how the fmc is also a mermaid. I was excited to read this and it definitely did not disappoint!

If The Little Mermaid, Maid in Manhattan and How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days were made into a book.

Our man Finn is a strait-laced guy trying to be elected for Mayor of New York, and needs the vote from the paranormal community. Our girl Iris is a book loving Mermaid Princess whose Mum wants to pair her off with Finn for a political marriage as she wants him to keep the ocean safe from land pollution.

The plot of this book was really different and I found that refreshing, and it was also absolutely hilarious, there was not a single page that went by that I didn’t giggle or highlight a quote. I loved how in this World we have fae, witches, vampires, merpeople (to name a few) and humans all living together. This brought so much magic to the book with so many fun characters. From a talking pelican bird who is looking for fame and celebrity, to a wedding planner demon and a bookshop owning Witch… Iris’ found family are all so brilliant, and for me are really the stars of the show.

I’m looking forward to reading more books by Jessica Gadziala.

Thank you to Avon Books UK for gifting me this e-book in exchange for my honest review.

I've totally fallen head over fins for this book! Mermaids have been my mythical BFFs since I was a wee lass. I mean, come on—H2O, The Little Mermaid, Legend of the Deep Blue Sea, Siren—the enchanting list of aquatic adventures goes swimmingly on!

This book? Pure magic! It's not your run-of-the-mill mermaid tale. Imagine every mythical creature cozying up with humans on earth. Just wow! If this were real, I’d be throwing a party with vampires, faes, mermaids, and all the whimsical beings in between. It's a laugh riot wrapped in romance and bursts of sizzling emotions—just the ultimate page-turner!

I adore the dynamic duo of Iris and Finn. There's such a spark between them, it's electrifying and oh-so-heartfelt. My childhood dreams of mermaid fantasies have gracefully waltzed into adulthood with this book—it's a dream come true! This book was an absolute delight, wrapping up my reading list for 2025 with a bang! The finale was the cherry on top, delivering everything I craved and then some in a tale crafted like this.

I'd totally suggest this book to all the mermaid-loving gals dreaming of snagging their own Prince Charming, just like Iris did with Finn!

A really fun and cosy read. Five stars. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

"Well, if you're here for a romance book, note I have them shelved under: Emotional Propaganda. Right next to the Unverified Folklore shelf..."

The cover and title were irresistible! 💗 I admired the energy and imagination of the storytelling which went all-in with creating a magical (but not remotely PG-certificate) universe, in which a mermaid ends up in an engagement-of-convenience with a New York mayoral candidate. It's a fun premise, with echoes of 'Splash' with Darryl Hannah and Disney's 'Little Mermaid'. 🧜‍♀️ I sometimes felt a bit overwhelmed getting to grips with the world-building, and that perhaps made it harder to get emotionally invested in the romance. There was a lot to like though - it's entertaining and effervescent, with a kind of 'George of the Jungle' chutzpah. I think 'Mermaid in Manhattan' would appeal to fans of Erin Sterling's The Ex-Hex.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I enjoyed a lot of this book, with the story being funny and lots of moments that made me smile. I think the idea was great, I enjoyed Iris discovering New York, making friends and learning to appreciate life on land, and I liked the diversity of paranormal species and the dash of politics in the mix. However I do feel like both Iris’ strategy to ruin the engagement and the politics angle could have been a bit more developed, as I found both too superficial - the book would have been funnier and it would have given more depth to the plot.

Iris Marivelle, a beautiful and enchanting mermaid princess finds herself in Manhattan supposedly to marry Finn Westrock who is in need of a bride to merely to further his political career. Coming from two different worlds, Iris and Finn have a lot to learn about each other, but the spark between them immediately begins to smoulder. Throw in a talking pelican, a cutthroat campaign manager, and a wedding planner who’s a lower demon and you’ve got a well written fun and at times laugh out loud read. The secondary characters shine throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review her work.

A smutty supernatural romance. This is a sweet easy to read romance. there is a fun group of characters in this book with a lot of spicy scenes for smut readers.

Summary in Brief

Princess Iris is a mermaid, and her mother is making her marry a human in Manhattan, Finn, in exchange for certain water pollution policies being pushed through once he is mayor. Iris makes sure that this Finn guy is so miserable with her that he will break off their engagement—only she doesn’t take into account actually falling for him.

Genre + Plot

Tropes: Cozy Fantasy Romance, Fish Out of Water, Arranged Marriage, Forced Proximity, One Bed, Dual POV, Insta Lust, Found Family, Miscommunication, Political Intrigue

This is the second book I’ve read by Gadziala, and I liked this one so much more! I was so excited about the premise. I love Fish Out of Water tropes, and this was literally that.

Iris is our FMC, a mermaid, who goes ashore to live with her fiancé, Finn, for a couple of months before their marriage and his mayoral election. She really does not want to do this. She loves the sea. I’ve found that when reading Arranged Marriage tropes with royalty, either the parties are resigned to their life as a political pawn or they fight tooth and nail. Iris fought tooth and nail. Although, as she was acclimating, she made some great friends who were fun to read about, especially Monty.

Finn is definitely on the “resigned to his fate” end of the spectrum when it comes to arranged marriages. He basically needs to appear less like a single white man running for mayor, lol. What I didn’t like—and what honestly never got resolved—was that the only reason Iris is marrying him is because he promised his mom that he would push through a water pollution policy… but that was already part of his mayoral campaign and not anything new. So, like… what are they actually getting out of it? Maybe everyone just knew what was going on, didn’t care, and still agreed to the marriage, but it felt odd and unresolved.

Iris and Finn are instantly attracted to each other. I mean, Iris is a mermaid, so she is drop-dead gorgeous. And Finn is the picture-perfect guy… on the surface. Iris quickly realizes that a lot of who Finn is feels fake and polished for the cameras and press, whereas she is authentically herself. I did wish Finn did more to help Iris acclimate to the surface world. These two had *so much* miscommunication. Then they’d be like, “I don’t know that much about him/her.” Like… how about you two sit down and talk to each other if that’s an issue?

I did not like Henry. He is Finn’s campaign manager and longtime friend. I was looking hard to see that friendship and just could not find it. In my eyes, Henry was the bad guy in this book, and I was disappointed when he was still friends with Finn at the end. He was so rude to Iris and wanted to change everything about her. In the beginning, Finn let him steamroll all over him, though he did get better by the end.

I will say the sexual tension and spice in this book were on point. However, just like Gadziala’s last book, *My Big Fat Vampire Wedding*, they only had sex in public spaces. I’m really racking my brain trying to remember if they were ever intimate in private, but they really weren’t. And there were *maaaany* spicy scenes in this book. So basically, I was stressed during all of them because I thought they were for sure going to get caught.

The ending was… all right. There was a dramatic breakup scene that Henry was, of course, responsible for. Then Finn makes a huge apology, and they live happily ever after. But I don’t know—I just felt okay at the end, not super happy or excited about how it turned out. I get that Iris was okay giving up her life under the sea, but it still felt like she missed it so much, and there wasn’t much resolution for that either. These two really need to learn about compromise.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this was a cozy mermaid fantasy with some political elements, an arranged marriage, a dash of groveling, and quite a bit of miscommunication.

Okay, let me just say …I loved this one. I mean, a mermaid forced into an arranged marriage with a human mayoral hopeful? Sign me up.

Iris is everything I wanted in a sassy, stubborn FMC: fiercely independent, witty, and absolutely not here for anyone telling her how to live, especially when that someone is Finn, her human fiancé. And Finn… oh, Finn.

He’s charming, determined, and honestly, the kind of human you can’t help but root for, even if he’s a little clueless at first. Watching him navigate Iris’s water logged wrath was chef’s kiss.

The romance is slow burn but spicy, with all the tension and push pull that had me grinning and swooning at the same time. The magic versus Manhattan setting is clever and fun. There’s just something about imagining a mermaid dealing with city life that makes me so happy.

Also, can we talk about the steamy scenes? Just… yes. The “only one bed” trope? Executed perfectly.

If you want a rom com that’s funny, flirty, a little chaotic, and full of magic (plus a heroine who refuses to be tamed), Mermaid in Manhattan is such a splashy, entertaining read. I was hooked from start to finish and honestly didn’t want to come up for air.

Thank you so much for the ARC!
This rom-com with a supernatural twist follows Finn, a human running for mayor, and Iris, a mermaid sent to the surface for an arranged marriage meant to benefit both their worlds. One of my favorite aspects was how effortlessly the supernatural elements were woven into the story. It felt like an alternate reality where fairies, witches, werewolves and co are completely normal, while mermaids remain intriguingly secluded. Iris’s journey to the surface is filled with cultural tension and misunderstandings, especially since she struggles with communication, makes assumptions, and often spirals into her own version of the truth, which could be frustrating at times. Finn isn’t much better at communicating, and his reluctance to push boundaries leads to many moments where they’re clearly on the same page but can’t quite get there together. Despite this, the story was engaging, well-paced, and never once felt boring. I flew through it whenever I had the chance. If you enjoy rom-coms with supernatural elements and have a soft spot for mermaids, this book is a fun and entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

I read My Big Fat Vampire Wedding last year and thought it was such a fun time, didn't take itself too seriously and was giving Addams Family vibes with all the crazy family tree. This was much more like a Little Mermaid retelling, only she certainly doesn't lose her voice. I loved that despite the arranged marriage trope going on in the background, really this felt like more of a friends to lovers plotline because despite their differences, I don't think Iris and Finn (fish-themed name did make me laugh) ever really tried to upset each other.
There was no huge drama, which in a romance is something I quite appreciate - I truly could not care less about third act drama. There also wasn't really a Big Bad which surprised me, especially since there were a few options that it could have been. Enjoyed this as a gentle, lighthearted romance <3

I loved this five seashell, hot pretzel, talking pelican, iridescent scales, and bad intention warding stars!

Someone make this movie! Right. Now.

Jessica delivers an effortlessly easy to love heroine, Iris, in this story along with a…colorful and varied group of support characters that would be hard to forget.

Iris, the middle-child princess, is sold off in a political alliance between the eco-friendly potential mayor of magical New York and her mother the Queen of the Ocean. Every girl’s dream amiright? Iris is funny, smart, devious at times, and is an easy leading lady to root for.

Finn, political ambitions aside, is a dream…just one that takes a minute to unwrap. Let that nerd flag fly my man, no one’s dream man is a polished poster child for voting polls. Despite the start where we see the face Finn gives the world, he really is a kind hearted hero (with great calves) underneath. Thank God, or this story would be called “The Mermaid and the Toad” instead.

NOW- let me praise Monty, Selene, Arden, and Willow by name because this book would not have survived without their existence. The fact JG can create side characters that makes you long for them to be real and also be your friends is almost as amazing as her epilogues.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book and pray, wish, hope, or light a candle that a decent director picks this up and puts this to film immediately.

If you haven’t stalked Jessica’s indie published works, please fall down that rabbit hole - you won’t regret it!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC. This review was my own opinion and wording.

3.5/5 rounded up.

This was so much fun!

This follows an arranged marriage between a politician and a mermaid. (The politician needs to look good for the mythical creature/people voters and decides that marrying a mermaid will do that.)

I thought this premise was so fun and unique, and it was!

This kind of reminded me of Jenna Levine's books, but make it city mermaids.

I sped through this so fast and has such a fun time with it. I would definitely recommend. It's such a good palate cleanser sort of book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Spicetastic

I loved the premise of the this.

Mermaids exist and they come with sass!

A great light-hearted, easy read.

The characters had a brilliant chemistry and I like the added talking animals. Actually worked really well within the story.

I enjoyed this. There is some layout issues with the copy. The story was funny and very silly. I loved Monty most of all.

This is it. This is THE romance read of 2026 already. Genuinely.

I just want to geek out about this whole book. There is so much fun and joy connected to this. I enjoyed every single second reading this. The plot itself felt so different that it was refreshing but the characters on top of that? Beautiful experience. I already told so many friends about this, even before I had fully finished the book.

I can't even say who my favourite character was. Though, I must say it was probably Monty, Who wouldn't want an emotional support pelican? Because I really do now. Not sure if my cats agree though if he also starts trying to eat them.

Iris herself. Wonderful. Absolute delight. Reading about her is heartwarming especially about her discovering what the land can offer her. And her fav food being pretzels? She gets me. Her whole development never was boring, it left you wondering ''okay what will she do now to try and scare him away?'' You could never guess what's next and honestly, please give me more of this.

Finn. See I think we all know some celebrity or similar who tends to seem too perfect, too over the top. But what I think is important that this shows that there are always multiple sides to it. And I especially liked that Iris kept pushing to know him because she could tell there is more. That she didn't just let Henry force the fake side of Finn nonstop. And c'mon. We all love nerds. So him being a comic loving nerd, made this even hotter and better,

Literally every single side characters was hilarious. Selene's bookshelf names are everything to me. ''Emotional propaganda'' for romance? So true in a way.

Honestly I can just ramble about this book nonstop. I beg everyone to read this. I loved it so so much.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

I absolutely adored Jessica Gadziala’s My Big Fat Vampire Wedding, so I was beyond excited to dive into this new release—especially since it appears to be set in the same universe. Stepping back into this world felt familiar and fun while still offering something fresh.

This story follows Iris, a mermaid princess, and Finn, a human mayoral candidate. Iris is betrothed to Finn in a political move meant to help secure his election, as he aims to become the first human mayor of Manhattan. What follows is a delightful clash of worlds, cultures, and expectations.

Iris has never been on land before, so her arrival in Manhattan is complete culture shock—and those moments were both entertaining and endearing. Finn, on the other hand, has become so consumed by politics and ambition that he’s lost touch with who he really is beneath the polished politician exterior.

I loved Iris’s free-spirited nature and her resistance to the engagement. She has no interest in being used as a pawn and actively tries to sabotage the arrangement. But as time passes, she begins to see the real Finn behind the political mask—and that slow shift in their dynamic was so satisfying to watch unfold.

I had such a fun time reading this story, and I loved that it included hints and threads leading into the next book in this series and shared world. I’m definitely excited to see where this universe goes next.

This story was adorable!! I loved that it was sent in a magic and supernatural heavy world, because that opens the story up for so much more whimsy and fun rather than there having to be some big secret.

Definite vibes from our favorite fairy tales (The Little Mermaid mostly) helps the story feel familiar but this took that framework and made something entirely its own! I loved the various side characters, most especially Monty who just stole the show at every turn. This book also has a solid amount of spice while still primarily focusing on plot, which is my favorite kind of open door romance, personally.

The only think I didn’t like was the lack of communication between the two leads. I understand its purpose here with moving the story along but even when it felt like they turned a corner, they just shot right back to not saying what they felt/meant/needed to share. I don’t love the miscommunication trope, especially with how old the characters are and with one literally pursing a career in communication. However, this story did make up for it each time and I still finished the book with happy tears!

This was so cute and so much fun! I’m always a sucker for arranged marriages trope and one bed trope. I have always been a big fan of mermaids so when I saw this book I just knew I needed to read it and it lived up to the hype. It was just the romantasy read I was looking for. Don’t forget to add this one to your TBR.

There is so much to love here! Watching Iris discover life on land was incredibly charming, and the diverse paranormal world-building gave the story such a cool edge. My only gripe? I wanted more! The strategy to ruin the engagement felt a bit surface-level, and the political intrigue had so much potential to be juicy.

Overall I am a big fan of this book! It was an easy read that kept my attention. I loved following along with Iris and Selene’s schemes, but found myself wishing for a bit more from Finn. The side characters absolutely made this book and I would love to read about any and all of them while following along with Iris and Finn’s story.

I really hope this book gets a film adaptation at some point, it's absolutely beautiful! The plot, the characters, the universe itself was just sososo cute. Finn and Iris's development throughout the story was literally everything I wanted and more! It's been a while since I've rooted for both MCs equally but I just loved them wholeheartedly, I will definitely be not only reading more from this author but also rereading this book in the future and that is something I almost never do with books! Easily one of my favourite romantasy books for 2026! Highly recommend

3.75⭐️ this was honestly such a fun read ! Are there a few things I would change? yes... but overall a fun, unique read.

Finn x Iris were utterly adorable! How she just helps him find his old self...opening himself up to more spontaneity! How he did such romantic gestures for her.

T R O P E S

🐚opposites attract
💙mermaid princess x mayoral candidate
🐚sassy pelican
💙engagement of convenience
🐚forced proximity
💙one bed
🐚sweet moments
💙cat daddy

I feel like there are a few stories that can be continued from this, I'm eager to read Selene's story because who wouldn't want a black cat witch as a main lead 🖤💙 and ARDEN 🥵🥵🥵

Again, an FMC who loves to read is getting a bit cliche and a safe bet for authors.

And the miscommunication, Henry...ergh..no thank you !

This is my second book by this author and it did not disappoint. I read it in one night! I love the idea of paranormal creatures living openly with humans and each character was quirky and lovable. I hope to see more of this world with other characters' stories playing out.

I love mermaids so this was one I enjoyed for that aspect. It was a cute and sweet read that went by quickly! This is a perfect vacation read and I think this would be a perfect book to relax by the beach with as it was cute, silly, sweet and romantic. The book wasn’t my favorite read, but it was definitely worth a read.

What a fun read! We need more mermaids in paranormal romance so I was super excited to pick this one up.

I really liked the blend of modern setting with magical creatures. Mermaids, witches, minotaur and more, what fun! The world was creative and full of wonder.

The romance between Iris and Finn was adorable. Iris is a mermaid princess and Finn is a mayoral candidate. They enter into an engagement of convenience. I thought the tropes were executed well and worked for the story. These two were total opposites but it worked. The chemistry and little moments between these two were everything. I loved Finn's romantic gestures for Iris. Swoon! The romance here was sweet, steamy and adorable. I really liked this couple.

There is some miscommunication and a character named Henry that cause drama in the story, but that keeps it from being boring.

Overall, I really liked this and hopefully the author writes more in this world. Would recommend if you're looking for a whimsical, fun read.

Genuinely sweet and funny, no third act breakup and no sea witch shenanigans!

Would 10000% be interested in reading more if this were a series.

A funny, light-hearted love story.

I've always wanted to read something where fantastical elements mesh with the real, modern world, and this book does it excellently. Iris arrives in Manhattan naive and completely unprepared for her betrothal, whereas Finn approaches the relationship as a PR opportunity for the upcoming election, and between the glittering socialite balls, fantastical parades and photoshoots, both organically grow more into themselves and each other between heartfelt moments and hilarious shenanigans. The humour in this book is top-notch, particularly from Iris' faithful pelican companion Monty and her bookseller witch friend Selene. A lot of their dialogue made me laugh out loud, leading to some comical moments between the relationship-building.

I did like a lot of the world-building, especially the way the fantasy elements were integrated into the contemporary. Through Finn's character we see the political manoeuvering it takes to make these things a reality, and the consequences as well. If anything I think the physical scene setting needed some work, as often I didn't feel entirely immersed in the environment the characters were telling the story. I didn't get a solid idea of the mer kingdom beneath the sea even though we visit it multiple times, and even Manhattan itself is treated more like backdrop at a school play rather than a city you can go to. At one point Iris leaves her apartment, goes to the bookshop to meet her friend, and then miraculously winds up outside the wedding venue in about a page's worth of dialogue – I know New York is very centralised, but I think the convenience might be slightly exaggerated.

Overall a really fun book, and great for someone who wanted something a little lighter.

This was such a great mermaid story. I loved every minute of it. The characters were well written. It was like reading a spicy modern Disney story. I devoured it in one day because I just couldn't put it down!

Absolutely loved this book. The cover drew me in straight away
Really loved the storyline and the characters
I will definitely read more by this author
Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review

Mermaid in Manhattan is a cosy, joyous romantic romp that will leave you smiling from ear up ear - highly recommended!

Mermaid in Manhattan was a fun, light romantasy that gave me major H2O: Just Add Water vibes—especially with the mermaid-on-land chaos and magical rules about water.

Iris, a mermaid princess, is forced into an arranged marriage with Finn, a human politician who needs a magical wife for his campaign. Their relationship starts as a business deal, but the more time they spend together in Manhattan, the more the tension turns into something real.

The fish-out-of-water moments were really entertaining, and Finn’s patience with Iris made their dynamic sweet and fun to watch. With arranged marriage, only one bed, and a splash of spice, it’s an easy, entertaining read.

I’m giving it four stars because parts felt a bit predictable, but if you enjoy magical rom-coms with mermaids and a playful vibe similar to H2O, this one is definitely a good time. 🧜‍♀️✨📚

Thank you to Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Iris loves being a mermaid. So, when her Mom, Queen of the Ocean, declares that she’s to be wed to a human, she’s furious. Finn wants to be the first human mayor of magical New York. He needs a magical wife as part of his PR strategy to win over his constituents, and he’s fine with a loveless marriage. But after his reluctant fiancé Iris douses him with seawater at their first meeting, Finn finds himself wanting this romance to be more than a business arrangement. Iris can’t stand Finn on principle, but no matter how far she pushes him, Finn just won’t break off their engagement. In fact, he keeps going out of his way to make her life easier. And soon, this mermaid is left wondering if life might be better in Manhattan than under the sea…

Good god, I adore Iris. The way she interacts with others, that kernel of sass that never disappears and her ability to be confidently petty too… what a girl! Going from the sea to land is a major adjustment but I did enjoy watching her make the most of it, discovering all these new things - even if there was an element of guilt there too. She feels so relatable and I just wanted to give her a big hug multiple times through the book. Her friendship with Selene was top notch, two strong women forming this bond of joy, and sass and emotion. I couldn’t have asked for anything better for Iris. She deserves the world.
Finn felt like a robot for so much of this story - enough that I wasn’t sure how to feel about him. And how ironic that it is a paranormal creature that helps him discover his humanity again. The way he blindly follows directions and doesn’t stop to think about the impact on others had me frustrated for a lot of this book. Any time he thought for himself, I wanted to punch the air before seeing him once again fall back into his terrible habits. Then I just wanted to punch him. Blessedly he improved as the story progressed and I found myself liking him. But sorry Finn, Iris has my heart wholly.

I’m not sure what I was expecting with this story but I did not anticipate it being this fun! Stories involving the paranormal can be hit and miss for me but the fact this felt more focused on humour and the relationship between Finn and Iris, I was hooked (if you’ll pardon the pun) from the beginning. Everything flows brilliantly from one moment to another, the plot bolstered by this humorous undertone that had me grinning constantly. The banter between the characters elevated the story and never once detracted from the seriousness of a moment - in fact, lending it an element of grounding. I love that in this world, we get to know such a variety of characters. Vampires, witches, dryads, mermaids, gargoyles, and so much more, all added their own imprint to the story. We don’t see many urban fantasies written like this nowadays and this book has triggered a hunger in me for more! I want societies where no one bats an eyelid when a vampire and a tree spirit share a bus! The romance was delightfully angsty from the off, and rightly so! I loved that it wasn’t smooth sailing (again, apologies for the pun - Iris has rubbed off on me) and, in fact, was incredibly rocky from the off. The way it also wasn’t resolved quickly too was the icing on the cake. It’s great seeing characters act on their chemistry and still stand strong in their more negative emotions as opposed to banging it out and thinking all is well. The spice was great too, adding an extra layer to the chemistry forming! I feel it definitely added to the story instead of just being there for the sake of it. The ending was honestly just perfection. I’s be so happy if we got an interconnected series with some of the other characters because they were just so good, but I still love how everything was brought to a close here.

Overall, Mermaid in Manhattan is a stunner of a book you do not want to miss!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day and is available now on Goodreads.

LITERALLY OBSESSED!!!!! I couldn't put it down and was literally racing through because I just wanted to know what happened next. LOOOOVED IT!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Finn’s mayoral campaign is gaining momentum, but he still can’t win over his magical constituents. His campaign manager’s solution is drastic: Finn must marry a magical woman—and quickly. The queen of the Mer Kingdom volunteers her second daughter, Iris, the notorious trouble magnet of the royal family. Neither Finn nor Iris is thrilled with the arrangement, but they commit to trying life under the same roof. What Finn doesn’t expect is navigating Iris’s ever present feathered companion and her increasingly questionable hobbies on land. The question becomes whether the two can make it to their wedding day—or whether Iris’s missteps on two legs will create too much bad publicity for Finn to handle.
Bestselling romance author Jessica Gadziala transports readers to a magical, whimsical version of New York City in her newest release, Mermaid in Manhattan. While a departure from her usual dark romance style, this romcom still showcases her signature tension and quick fire dialogue. Packed with magical creatures and laugh worthy chaos, the novel also weaves in a thoughtful, understated commentary on prejudice—highlighting how easily appearances can mislead. Hints of a Little Mermaid homage add a layer of charm, and the forced proximity setup keeps the pages turning late into the night.
I give Mermaid in Manhattan 4 out of 5 stars. Although the beginning felt slow and a few scenes involving the campaign manager were hard to follow, the story won me over with its sincerity and originality. The innocence of both Iris and Finn—neither quick to assume the worst of others—adds a refreshing sweetness to their dynamic. I also appreciated the supporting cast and the way they rally around Iris as she learns to navigate the human world.
With light spice, this romcom is well suited for mature readers aged sixteen and up. Fans of whimsical, magical romances—especially readers who enjoyed TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea or Somewhere Beyond the Sea—will find plenty to love here. Those who appreciate the works of Catherine Walsh, Lexi Davis, or Jessie Sylva will also feel right at home.

This was super cute! Loved the concept and plot of this book! The pace and chemistry of these characters are great!

Cover page is a great first impression on the reader!

how has Jessica made me love this book so much!? somehow i was very much there, rooting for these people as if it was or could be real haha.a mermaid? sure, yes i know of them. Magical New York, yeh sure i know of the place...
the world build Jessica does has me feeling like i could picture it all.
Iris is a mermaid. and she loves her life under the sea. all good, right? nope not where her mother is concerned as she announced there needs to be an arranged marriage with someone who is very much not of the sea. a human!
Finn is a all business kind of man. and to get ahead in his career there is one thing he needs to do. Marry someone from Iris's world. its a career based plan for him. nothing more. nothing more, right? haha come on we all know where this is going. we definitely know where this is going when the pair get together.
Iris cant understand why Finn doesn't call it off between them. Finn is determined to show her there is more to this, him. but will this, whats going on between them make it harder or easier going forward. because for Iris she starts to see a whole new side to human and the world above the sea. will this lead to hearts found or hearts broken?
i love the fact that Finn really seemed to lean into his side of things more in the sense that Iris was the "fish out of water here"(pin intended but im so sorry for that, haha) so he tried to lean in to that with how he acted to try and make her feel ok about it all.
these two just became totally gorgeous together. they both found something in each other and were both given something of themselves back from being with the other too. and the balance really helped too. how they BOTH gave so much to the other and for the other. i loved seeing the man behind the surface posters.
the side characters in this book also need a mention for how they made this book shine all the more so. you want to know them and you just want to read more about them. they add so much to the overall feelings i have for this read. truly some of the best ive read in a long while.
this book had all the things i love in a read. i gobbled it up super quick because i didn't want to step out of this world or the characters within it.
im not usually in the romantasy books. they have taken a turn for me which is far too red flaggy excusing behaviour because its magic kind of feel to them more and more now. so for this book to even be chosen for me it has to be a gooden. and ohhhhhhhh it was. it was a gem of a read. and id happily call myself a reader of the genre type if they were more like this. it felt like my oldie adult self was getting their own Little Mermaid Memories back.
that cover art deserve a beautiful mention too. an absolutely stunning cover and it made me want to draw it immediately too.

It’s like Splash and Little Mermaid had a baby, with an arranged marriage trope.
I like the world this book was set in, modern world but fantasy elements - mermaids, Fae etc.
I really enjoyed Iris and her attempts to get Finn to dissolve the arrangements.
Iris and Finn were opposites who needed each other for balance. I enjoyed the resolution they had towards the ending.
I’m a Disney girly who wanted to be Ariel. Of course i’m going to recommend.

This was such a fun read! I loved the characters and the sweet, magical atmosphere. I thought the chemistry and tension between Finn and Iris was great and really made the story sizzle.

In Mermaid in Manhattan, the author imagines a whimsical New York City that's populated with magical creatures and humans. Finn is running for Mayor on a progressive platform that includes environmental safeguards and plans to enact newer, fairer laws that will benefit all species. To broaden his electoral appeal, a betrothal with Iris, a mermaid princess, is arranged.

When Iris moves on land, this becomes something of a "fish out of water" tale. She's awkward about walking on two legs, unfamiliar with modern technology like cell phones and television, and disoriented by cars and subways. At the same time, she's excited by aspects of her life on land. There are endless books to read, exposure to new people, and experiences like Taco Tuesday's, pizza, hot pretzels, fashion and glitter eyeshadow.

There's a lot of chemistry with Finn. A consummate politician, Finn conceals his emotions and follows a script. Iris resents the campaigns attempts to reshape her and to dim her shimmer. She's unsure whether Finn really cares about her or if she's just a tool to boost his popularity. Is their intimacy manufactured or real?

As this couple slowly navigates a more than superficial relationship, Iris learns to look below the surface and Finn learns to set boundaries and prioritize Iris. I was moved by his grand gestures, including learning how to swim and buying Iris books that are spelled to survive being under water.

I thought this was a truly inventive book - it's not a riff on Little Mermaid or Splash. It's a magical tale with a very sweet romance.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. While I liked and enjoyed this book I had some things I didn’t like as much. The book as too long. I think if it had been bout 50 pages shorter that would have made it more enjoyable. I feel like there should have been more interactions between Iris and Finn as it felt like instalove but also drawn out. A bit more depth or at least some more POV chapters from Finn would have helped flesh him out as he seemed on the bland side to me and I wish we had explored his character development more. I once again really loved the supporting characters that Jessica Gadziala writes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing this ARC.

What a sweet, cozy and heartwarming story, I absolutely loved it! The romance was really cute, and I loved the paranormal aspect of it all. The casual inclusion of so many different magical creatures was really fun to explore, it definitely gives off this message of hope and being able to peacefully coexist, while celebrating each other's differences. This is my second novel by Jessica Gadziala and I really enjoy her writing style, sense of humour, and all the seaworthy puns :) Highly recommend.

A deeply enjoyable romance that effectively balances humor and heart. I loved following the characters in their journey to happiness.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I did not want to put it down once I started reading. Easily able to give this book five stars.

thank you to netgalley and Avon for the early access eARC of Mermaid in Manhattan!

while this was not my first jessica gadziala book, it was my first supernatural read. i’ve never read a book where the main character was a mermaid so i was more than curious and excited to read this book. and i can say confidently that Mermaid in Manhattan was very entertaining. i love jessica’s writing style in her other books and it shined just as well in this book. Mermaid in Manhattan was funny, a wee bit emotional and just all around good book! i loved the main characters. iris and finn were perfect love interests i think! i loved watching them gain feelings towards each other so gradually. and finn learning how to swim for her? ugh it was soooo cute! monty was so hilarious and the perfect side character, same as the other side characters we got to meet! overall this was such a fun read and the romance was cute just wished it had a bit more romance to it. the epilogue was nice and tied it all together perfectly but i was really hoping for one of jessica’s epilogues like from her mc series because she just does those cutesy happily ever after epilogues so well! nonetheless, i enjoyed every bit of this book and the uniqueness of it! definitely recommend this book!

Cute, fun, humorous read. Definitely a rom com read. Monty the taking pelican by far stole the show.

The first I’ve read from this author.

Honestly loved the cover and the storyline really piked my interest

Thank you for allowing me to read this.

I have to say I loved the author’s writing. It kept me hooked throughout.

I also enjoyed the story and the main characters were very likable.

A great experience. I’ll def keep an eye out for other books from this author. A great read. Good job!!

I really enjoyed this book! it was the perfect holiday read and such a great little escape into a fun, magical world where mythical creatures and humans coexist. It had that light, addictive quality where you just keep turning pages without even realising.

The concept itself was so unique and refreshing. A mermaid forced into an arranged marriage with a human politician-in-the-making? Hooked immediately! The blend of romantasy and rom-com worked so well, giving us both swoony moments and fully laugh out loud scenes.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Finn and Iris. Watching their relationship grow from reluctant partners to something much deeper was so satisfying. Iris trying to put Finn off (in the most chaotic ways possible) while he just quietly supports her anyway, even when communication wasn’t perfect, it made sense given how new everything was for them.

The humour was such a standout too. The side characters added so much charm and personality, and the banter throughout kept things feeling lively and fun. And of course… I have to mention Monty, the true star of the show. Every scene with him had me smiling and laughing, and he completely stole the spotlight.

It gave me modern Little Mermaid vibes, but with a playful twist and a bit more chaos, spice, and city life.

💐 Tropes:
👰 Arranged marriage
🛏️ Only one bed
🧜 Romantasy
🌶️ Sweet & spicy
💫 Opposites attract

Overall, this was a charming, witty, and easy read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you’re looking for something magical, romantic, and genuinely fun, this is definitely worth picking up!

Thank you so much Jessica Gadziala, Avon and NetGalley for this eARC ❤️🧜‍♀️

I found Mermaid in Manhattan by Jessica Gadziala to be such a fun, addictive read. Like many reviewers, I loved the quirky concept and the blend of romance and fantasy, especially the arranged marriage between Iris and Finn. The humour and side characters really stood out, and I found myself laughing more than I expected. It was an easy, bingeable story that didn’t take itself too seriously. That said, I did feel the romance could have had more depth at times. Overall, I thought it was a light, entertaining rom-com with plenty of charm and escapism.

A really cute and enjoyable read!

This was actually my first mermaid book, and I really enjoyed it! Mermaids of Manhattan felt like such a fun and refreshing escape, blending magical elements with a modern city setting. A modern retelling of the little mermaid ❤️

The story had a light vibe while still keeping me invested in the characters and their journeys. The characters were likeable. Overall, a sweet, easy read that’s perfect if you want something a bit magical without being too heavy. Definitely worth picking up!

This was such a fun, fantasy romance! It was a really good mix of sweet and spicy and was super enjoyable.

I loved watching Iris try to gross Finn out of this arranged marriage and how, while he was in fact grossed out, he wanted to support whatever odd collection she started to amass. While there were some instances of mis (or zero) communication, it was believable that Iris and Finn are struggling with that as they didn’t know each other before. So everything about their “relationship” was new and awkward, and it was Iris’ first time on land.

The friendships were wonderful, the banter was great, and the relationship progression was believable (especially for a fantasy). I can’t wait to read more from this author and hopefully more set in Manhattan!

Tropes: arranged marriage, only one bed, opposites attract

Little mermaid but make it opposite.
This was the ultimate miscommunication trope. The entire book was one big series of the main characters both being stubborn and refusing to actually have a real conversation.
I was obsessed with Monty the emotional support pelican. He had me howling with laughter. the tension between Finn and Iris was evident from the start and their love story was magical.
Can’t wait to see what more this author brings us in the future. #hopingforselenestory

I love reading about fantasy realism and this was one of the cutest book ever. I loved reading this book. It was absolutely amazing and its easily one of my favourite books of this year. Iris is a really cute little bean i wanna protect all my life. I loved her sm and the romatic aspect of the book was absolutely incredible. Both characters have really amazing chemistry.

Title: Mermaid in Manhattan
Author: Jessica Gadziala
Rating: 4.25 ⭐️

I seriously don't know what was in this book but I completely devoured it. I have always been a huge fan of TLM, so it should have been my first clue that I would really enjoy this book.

From some catchy comedic lines, to the celebrity seeking pelican, I was seriously hooked. I do hope that maybe we will get a second book exploring another witchy couple.....

Read this book if you enjoy:
- Arranged marriage
- Mermaids
- Only 1 bed
- Talking birds
- The Little Mermaid
- Supernatural romance

Release date: April 23, 2026

A huge thank you to Avon Books UK, NetGalley, and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A mermaid gets forced to go to land a marry a land person for his professional career. She tries everything to stop the engagement while missing her family in the water. It was really good and I cant wait for the audiobook.

The perfect summer romcom with an extra special touch! I adored this story and the romance!! It’s cute, funny, and incredibly swoon worthy. This one sweeped me off my feet!

Mermaid in Manhattan was such a fun, whimsical read—and honestly, exactly what I hoped for after loving My Big Fat Vampire Wedding!

An arranged marriage between a mermaid princess and a human politician? Say less. Iris and Finn’s dynamic starts off a little rocky, but I really liked how their communication and connection grew over time. Add in a chaotic talking pelican and some genuinely funny banter, and I was hooked.

The vibe is cozy, magical, and easy to read, with a nice balance of humor and emotional moments. While I wanted a bit more depth in the romance and world-building, it was still such an enjoyable escape overall!

3.75 stars I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. I was looking for something different when I requested it, and it was definitely that. In a good way. Will look for more from this author in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was a cute story and different from anything else I have read. It has Little Mermaid and Splash vibes, which are two of my faves.

This was a quick read and the writing was okay, some points got a little dull but it rounded back out.

Arc Review:
4.5⭐️
A mermaid princess gets arranged to marry a human Mayoral candidate to help his optics in return for his help in stricter ocean pollution legislation… she doesn’t wish to be on land at first, but then she finds a bookstore run by a cynical Witch & they come up with a crazy plan to sabotage the engagement. But of course Finn is willing to accept all her eccentricities cause he’s been enamored by her from day 1! Iris makes friends, learns to love land, and helps Finn figure out who he truly is outside of “the suit”.

This book is super cute, rather funny, and at times quite deep (pun intended).
The main characters go through a lot of personal growth & help each other become the best versions of themselves! Iris helps Finn realize that he can be his own person rather than just a political puppet, and Finn helps Iris blossom into a happy person surrounded by people who love her!

And there is a unique set of side characters to help them on their romantic journey… an emotional support Pelican, a cynical anti-love witch who has a very unique sorting system for her bookstore, a Love Demon wedding planner, and a super stuffy campaign manager who really needs to pull the stick out of his ass!

And now I need a book about Selene!

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
The tension is there from the start, and she is intent on staying away from him… it fails! 😂 in the public bathroom, at the pool, on the boat… they get after it!

Thank you to Netgalley & Jessica Gadziala for the Arc!

Omg. I loved this! I didn’t think I would love this as much as I did but it was amazing! I loved how perfect the characters were for eachother!

This story was almost like Little Mermaid, but a grow up reimagining with an arranged marriage trope. I’m not one to enjoy an arranged marriage trope, but I think this one was decently done. There weren’t just mermaids either, there were several other mythical creatures that I loved being added into the storyline. Finn was very gentle & comforting to Iris and I loved their dynamic.

🧜‍♀️✨ OBSESSED. ✨🧜‍♀️

Mermaid in Manhattan was pure, sparkling joy and I inhaled it in one sitting.

We’ve got:
💍 arranged marriage
🗽 mermaid in Manhattan chaos
🧙‍♀️ witchy best friends
🦩 talking animal sidekick (pelican)
📚 lots of book love
🔥 swoony tension + spice

Iris is hilarious, stubborn, and trying to figure out who she is outside the ocean, and Finn is a walking green flag who absolutely does not stand a chance. The banter is sharp, the vibes are immaculate, and the whole book feels like a cosy magical romcom with fins.

I loved My Big Fat Vampire Wedding, but this? Even better. Funnier, cuter, and completely bingeable. My only tiny complaint is that I wanted slightly more karma for one character—but honestly, I was too busy having a great time to care much.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you want a feel-good romantasy that’ll make you grin, kick your feet, and maybe wish you lived in magical New York… read this immediately. 💖🌊📖

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collin’s for this advanced copy of Mermaid in Manhattan.

Overall review: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Mermaid in Manhattan tells the story of Iris, forced into an engagement with Finn, a man running for mayor. Iris is a mermaid, forced to marry a land dweller by her mother. Finn on the other hand, is semi forced into a marriage by his campaign manager who wants to help him win the magical creature vote. What follows is a rom-com that looks at standing up for oneself and finding your own place in the world.

There was a lot of good starts in this book. I liked the modern take with mythical creatures just fully assimilated into the world. I only wish we got a bit more into the relationship between the merpeople and the humans. I also really didn’t enjoy how the campaign manager’s behavior was constantly excused by Finn. He always had a reason for it, even when it treated Iris like crap.

Overall, I’d give this author another chance. I’d love a book about the witch and the demon.

“She was going to make this Finn Westrock guy regret the day he asked for a marriage contract with a mermaid. Operation: Horrify the Human was officially underway.”

I really enjoyed this book! An arranged marriage between a mayoral candidate and a mermaid - set in a contemporary world where supernatural creatures co-exist with humans. Think vampires on the subway, witches running your local bookshop and werewolf co-workers. I really enjoyed the world building in this - I love when contemporary and paranormal are mixed in this way. It makes for a really good read.

“Is there some sort of clause in this marriage contract for your emotional support pelican? Because there should be.”

Monty was my favourite character - he stole the show and deserved the limelight. He wins the award for best side character of the year so far!

“Even in stillness, she shimmered with the kind of magic that artists could spend lifetimes trying to capture. She was luminous in a way that made him feel suddenly dim, but, God, he would never want to dull her shine.”

She’s struggling with her longing for the sea and her new found life on land. Loved the friendships she made and the way she stood her ground when Henry tried to mould her. Iris was such a well written FMC and I loved the journey of self discovery she went through. Also the ways in which she tried to get him to cancel the engagement were hilarious!

“The second their lips met, it was over. For just that moment, she was his. He kissed her like he knew it. He kissed her like the tide—fierce and impossible to resist.”

Finn was a stuffy politician by day, trying to find himself again by night and had the dirtiest mouth in secret. His character was so frustrating because you could see how his intentions and his actions didn’t always match up - that he’s been moulded into the ‘perfect’ mayoral candidate and lost himself in the process. I really liked how she brought him out of his shell (lol) and challenged him. He was somehow a mix of boring, filthy and a total sweetheart.

Also - don’t be fooled by the cute cover, this is a spicy read! A whole lot of tension makes for a whole lot of spice and it was done well here.

Overall I’d really recommend this one! A spicy supernatural romance with a twist, a pelican side character that steals the show and a romance that you’ll be rooting for.

ARC copy provided by Avon & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

4.5/5 ⭐️
Mermaid in Manhattan is a fun, easy to read story with plenty of laugh out loud moments, spice and lovable characters including my new favourite animal companion Monty!

The book follows our free spirited mermaid FMC Iris as she navigates being forced into an arranged marriage with our MMC Finn, who dreams of becoming the first human mayor in an openly magical New York.
This mermaid/human wedding seems to be nothing more than a PR strategy to ensure votes from the magical constituents and Finn may be fine with a loveless marriage but Iris is definitely not!
Iris does her best to sabotage her engagement and make Finn hate her however those plans backfire when Finn realises he wants more from their relationship than just a business arrangement.
The closer they become the more Iris wonders if life on land is better than her beloved ocean.

This is such a fun book and I adored so many things about it!
I enjoyed:
○ The lengths Iris goes to so she can sabotage the engagement.
○ The supporting characters/found family Iris finds while on land. Especially Selene and Arden!
○ Monty!! (He deserves his own spin off! Ha)
○ The magical New York concept

The only things I didn't enjoy: (very minor points)
○ The miscommunication, I wanted to scream at Iris and Finn at times!
○ Henry!!

I will happily read anything else Jessica writes in this universe so hopefully there will be more!

Thank you Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Jessica Gadziala for providing me this ARC in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Absolutely adored it. Such a great read. I was kicking my legs like a teenage girl. It was an adorable, funny and very spicy read!